Steinway NY Re-Introduces the O (to replace the L)

[Cy Shuster]

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http://www.steinway.com/features/MainFeature_SteinwayO.shtml

Steinway & Sons New York Re-Introduces The Steinway Model O


In 1902, the Model O was first produced by the Steinway & Sons New York 
factory and introduced to the American consumer market as the "Miniature" 
Steinway grand piano. It was the Model O that was the first Steinway grand 
piano to feature the classic Steinway case design known as Sketch 380 
Sheraton (squared off, spade-shaped legs) designed by Eugene F. Ayuso, now 
the standard case design for all Steinway grand models.

When the Model O grand was a brand new scale, it reflected several major new 
technical innovations with its unprecedented incorporation of 26 notes in 
the bass section. The plate design did not incorporate adjustable rear 
duplexes, but had instead solid duplex ribs cast in the plate. Examination 
of early Model O grands reveals that Henry Ziegler who designed this model 
conducted many experiments and made several adjustments in features and 
layout. In 1902 and again in 1904, New York factory log book entries for 
Model O grands say, "Model A shape" (i.e., square tail instead of standard 
Model O round tail). These few early experimental Model O grands with square 
tails might well be considered to be the earliest predecessors of the Model 
L grand.

As mentioned, Henry Ziegler (1857-1930) designed and invented the Model O. 
He also designed and invented the Models M (1912) and L (1923), both of 
which are based on the original Model O design and scale. The Model M (5'7") 
is a slightly shorter version of the Model O. The Model L is essentially the 
same scale as the Model O but with a square tail, rather than round. The 
Model S (5'1"), which was introduced in 1936, is also based on the Model O 
design and scale.

In 1906, the Model O bass bridge was changed from straight to curved, and 
the plate was reconfigured to accommodate adjustable rear duplex scales.

In 1914, the length of the Model O was increased slightly by 1/2" from 5'10" 
to 5'10-1/2". On November 7, 1924, the last of these historic Model O grands 
were produced in New York.

Now in 2006, the Steinway & Sons New York factory has announced that it will 
return to the production of the original fully developed version of the 
Model O grand with its characteristic round tail, curved bass bridge, and 
rear duplex scales as perfected in his time by Henry Ziegler-but with all of 
the modern technical innovations that have followed: Accelerated Action 
(1931), Diaphragmatic soundboard (1936), Hexagrip Wrestplank (1963), 
Permafree II Action Bushings (1983), and NY Improved Action (1992) to name a 
few.

The reintroduction of the Steinway Model O grand piano is intended to 
replace the similarly sized Steinway Model L grand. The Model O will now be 
produced in both the Steinway & Sons New York and Hamburg factories.



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